Structure and function of the rabbit bladder altered by chronic obstruction or cystitis

In a prospective 5-year-study the development of adiposity was tested in a population group consisting of about 30,000 persons. It was shown that during the time of investigation the population decreased in its total number, the consumption of easily digestible carbohydrates and meat, however, increased. As it was established in 1968, the proportion of the adipose persons (more than 20% of the Broca-weight) and the percental average deviation from the Broca-weight (calculated in decennium classes) was more than in the comparable population groups in the GDR. Contrary to expectation the examination further showed that on an average men exhibited a trend to the increase in weight, but on the average women decreased in weight. In all age groups (with the exception of the 60- to 69-year-old persons) the proportion of obese persons was significantly lower in 1973 than in 1968. Unchangedly adipose are the diabetics who also have a by far higher average weight than the healthy population and who up to now do not reveal an inclination to the decrease in weight. With 2.9% the average frequency of diabetes is also adequately high.     

Retroperitoneal germinoma marked by elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase

A case of primary retroperitoneal germinoma is presented in which markedly elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase levels were present before diagnosis, but declined to normal with abdominal irradiation. It is the first report of lactic dehydrogenase serving as a tumor marker in germinoma.     

The specificity of split renal membranes in hereditary nephritis

This study was undertaken to assess the specificity of split renal basement membranes in hereditary nephritis (HN). Thirteen specimens from eight patients with HN were mixed in a random fashion with specimens from control patients with either idiopathic nephrotic syndrome or various forms of glomerulonephritis and with specimens from patients with benign recurrent hematuria (BRH). Each biopsy specimen was scored for splitting of glomerular basement membranes (GBMs). Control and BRH specimens contained focal splitting in the GBMs; the biopsy specimens from HN patients had widespread lesions. Evaluation of split GBMs is useful in differentiating patients with HN from those with BRH and other renal diseases that may be confused with HN.     

Optimal concentrations of lysine, methionine, and threonine in milk replacers for calves less than five weeks of age

The AA requirements of herd-replacement calves less than 5 wk old and fed milk replacers are not clearly defined and have been estimated in a limited number of studies using milk-fed calves ranging from 5 to 20 wk of age. The objective of these 4 studies was to investigate the effect of supplementing milk replacers containing 24 to 28% crude protein (CP; from milk sources) and 17% fat with Lys, Met, and Thr to estimate the optimum requirements for calves less than 5 wk of age. Holstein bull calves (initially 3 and 4 d old, 43 ± 1 kg of body weight, BW) were fed an 18% CP (as-fed) starter ad libitum and weaned at 31 to 32 d of age (28-d studies). Calves were housed in an unheated, curtain-sided nursery. In study 1, 6 milk replacer treatments were fed based on the combination of 3 CP concentrations (24, 26, and 28% CP) each with or without added Lys and Met. In studies 2 and 3, 26% CP and 2.34% Lys milk replacer treatments were fed to test the concentration of Met (0.64, 0.68, and 0.72% Met in study 2 and 0.64, 0.72, and 0.80% Met in study 3). In study 4, 26% CP, 2.34% Lys, and 0.72% Met milk replacer treatments were fed to test the concentration of Thr (1.06, 1.43, and 1.80%). There was a 17% improvement in average daily gain (ADG) in study 1 from adding Lys and Met that was maximized with 2.34% Lys. The ADG response to added Met in studies 2 (linear) and 3 (quadratic) were 13 and 7%, respectively, with a plateau at 0.72% Met. There was no ADG or efficiency response to added Thr in study 4. Formulating 17% fat, whey-based milk replacers fed at 0.68 kg/d to 26% CP, 2.34% Lys, and 0.72% Met appeared optimum based on responses of body weight gain, feed efficiency, and serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, while feeding calves more CP and essential AA did not improved ADG and efficiency. Requirements for calves less than 5 wk old, averaging 48 kg of BW, consuming 204 g of CP/d, and gaining 0.46 kg of BW/d, appeared to be met with 17 g of Lys, 0.31 Met:Lys ratio, 0.54 Met+Cys:Lys ratio, and a Thr:Lys ratio less than 0.60.